China will continue to support political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, firmly safeguard the international nuclear nonproliferation mechanism, and uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have held a 50-minute phone call to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East and Ukraine peace talks

Speaking to pilgrims at the end of a special Jubilee audience June 14, the pope expressed deep concern over the “seriously deteriorating” situation in the Middle East, warning of the consequences of further escalation. “I want to strongly renew an appeal to responsibility and reason,” he said.

As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz claims China could hold the 'moral authority' to negotiate Middle East peace after Israel's strikes on Iran.

Despite rising hopes that tensions in the Middle East could de-escalate following a resumption of peace talks, there has been a lack of upward momentum on Bursa Malaysia.

The Russian leader briefed Trump on his recent talks with officials in Iran and Israel, and reiterated Moscow's proposal to seek mutual solutions on the Iranian nuclear issue.

AMANEY A. JAMAL is Co-Founder and Co-Principal Investigator at Arab Barometer, Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.